Abbott seeks to avoid ‘sideshow’ court appearance

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, pictured, is being sued by One Nation Party co-founder David Ettridge for damages of more than $1.5 million.
Photo: Louie Douvis

by
Phillip Coorey | Chief Political Correspondent

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott believes a lawsuit brought against him by One Nation Party co-founder
David Ettridge
is a “sideshow" and is seeking legal advice to avoid having to appear in court over the matter.

Mr Abbott said on Wednesday morning he’d prefer not to be subject to litigation but Mr Ettridge was entitled to launch such action “if he thinks he’s got a case".

Mr Ettridge is suing Mr Abbott for damages of more than $1.5 million. He has accused Mr Abbott of acting unlawfully in 1998 by assisting and encouraging litigation against One Nation in the Queensland courts.

Mr Ettridge alleges the court action was false and malicious and the resulting damage affected him greatly.

He also accuses Mr Abbott of attempting to pervert the course of justice by providing lawyers "to propel those false claims through the courts".

“I consider everything I did back then was justified," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Ettridge's lawyers served legal papers on Mr Abbott for damages on the weekend.

A directions hearing is set for the Brisbane Supreme Court on May 9 and Mr Abbott has received a summons to attend.

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“This is going to be just a bit of a sideshow and I try not to be in sideshows if I can avoid it," he said.

About 15 years ago, Mr Abbott raised a $100,000 fund to campaign against One Nation. The source of the money has never been revealed.

Mr Ettridge told AAP that “before Tony Abbott can become prime minister of Australia he needs to be judged on his suitability to hold the highest office in Australia".

"For his role in this disgraceful period of Australian political history, Tony Abbott has never been brought to account."

Mr Abbott said he was never against One Nation voters but rather the party that he felt was both “dodgy’’ and offered solutions that would have only worsened the problems its supporters were concerned about.